Seven states with the country’s highest obesity rates are in the South, but this issue that causes health problems such as diabetes and heart conditions cannot be blamed simply on Southern roots.

A study by the Southern Rural Development Center headquartered at Mississippi State University found that simply living in a region does not lead to obesity. In “The South Does Not Make You Fat: A study of nutrition, food security and obesity,” researchers found that minorities and lower-income groups have higher obesity rates.

“They find that the likelihood of being overweight or obese does not significantly differ across regions of the country after accounting for income, age, race-ethnicity and education,” the report stated.

The authors analyzed data from the Deep South — Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. They found that body mass index, or BMI, and obesity rates were higher in the Deep South than elsewhere, but these differences disappeared once factors such as age, income and race-ethnicity were considered.

“Low income, for example, is a better predictor of being overweight or obese for women than living in the South, as is being black or Hispanic,” the report stated. “The Deep South, in particular, has higher minority populations and more low income individuals than other regions of the country.”

A new joint study by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, finds that the recession is continuing to impact food purchasing and consumption behavior, including the meat department.

While meat consumption measured in tonnage was up significantly in 2009, the dollars are lagging behind as shoppers opt for cheaper cuts and prices dropped in 2009.  Forty percent of shoppers say they have changed the way they purchase meat and poultry compared to before the recession, down from 51 percent in 2009. This is also significantly less than the 50 percent who are spending less on groceries overall, signifying the strength of meat and poultry in the total food consumption.

Yet, the impact of income cannot be underestimated as 62 percent of shoppers who saw a significant drop in household income have altered their meat shopping. More customers are also cooking at home versus eating out, leading to an increase in meat purchases at supermarkets and other retail outlets.

A new survey by FoodMinds shows that the majority of those polled support Uncle Sam’s efforts to overhaul what is included in their food and on the packages. They also believe they are individually responsible for making the right food choices to avoid obesity, but will readily accept the government’s help to be successful.

According to the survey:

CHAPMAN – Preferred Popcorn, LLC, of Chapman, has acquired the bulk processing busness of Preston Farms, LLC of Palmyra, Ind.

According to Preferred CEO Norman Krug of Chapman, the purchase will help his company’s strategic focus in bulk popcorn, both domestic and export.

Over the past couple of years, the two companies have been partnering with each other, which, Krug said, “…has been a very worthwhile venture and has provided some great opportunities for both parties.”

“Preferred Popcorn has laid the groundwork for a solid domestic distribution system and while we export, we believe the Preston Farms customers will add a new dimension to our customer portfolio, and we look forward to serving those new markets,” Krug said.

As part of the deal, Preferred will acquire all of Preston Farms brands, including Spee-Dee Pop!, he said.

Krug said the Palmyra location will continue bulk operations under the name of Preferred Popcorn LLC. Preston Farms Popcorn LLC will share the location with Preferred to continue providing microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn for private label, fundraising, and ad specialty customers.